In a candidate-driven job market, employers who don’t prioritize retention efforts risk seeing top performers walk out the door. One great way to help make your people want to keep working for you is to invest in their overall job satisfaction by providing them with the perks and benefits they want most.
A good set of employee benefits and perks at work helps workers stay happy, and a happy team tends to be more productive and creative — and less likely to send their resumes to your competition. What you offer beyond salary can also go a long way in aiding recruitment efforts. The right complement of extras can make the difference between your top candidates joining your ranks or passing on your job offer.
Research for the Robert Half Salary Guide reveals the perks and benefits employees want most and those most frequently offered by employers. Some are tried and true, while others have only recently gained mainstream popularity.
If there are any perks and benefits in these lists that you don’t provide, adding them could give your workforce a morale boost — and ease your retention worries.
6 most-desirable job benefits for employees
The terms “perks” and “benefits” are sometimes used interchangeably, but for our purposes, employee benefits are generally a form of noncash compensation that covers basic needs. If not offered by the employer, employees would likely have to fund them on their own.
Health insurance — After salary, this staple benefit is of the utmost importance to many job candidates and typically includes medical coverage for employees and their families.
Paid time off — Whether it’s for vacation, illness or bereavement, paid time off (PTO) is highly valued by employees and a great way to combat employee burnout. Two weeks is standard for new hires, but three or more weeks of PTO can be challenging for many candidates to pass up.
Retirement savings plans — A tax-advantaged 401(k) plan can be an excellent way to attract candidates. Offering to match contributions up to a certain amount is a big plus for workers and can encourage them to stick with your firm.
Dental insurance — What’s most important isn’t always the most exciting, but dental insurance is a highly coveted benefit for many workers today.
Leave of absence — The opportunity to take a leave of absence is an attractive benefit for many workers. Whatever the reason for a leave — from caring for an ailing family member to
Vision insurance — Glasses, contacts and eye exams can be a costly expense to those who need them, so it’s no surprise that vision insurance is a highly coveted perk.
6 perks at work employees want most
Prerequisites, or corporate perks (aka “perks”), are nice-to-have additions to an employee’s salary and benefits package. We define perks at work as above-and-beyond offerings that may sway an employee to value one employer over another. Think of them as icing on the cake.
Flexible work schedules — Most workers today would prefer to choose their own work schedule (within reason, of course). This typically means a compressed workweek (e.g., four 10-hour days) or flextime, where employees can choose to work, say, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. rather than an 8-to-5 schedule. In the wake of the pandemic, with many teams still working remotely, companies are also promoting windowed work where employees break down their workday into non-consecutive chunks of time — 8 a.m. to noon and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., for example — to manage their professional and personal obligations.
Remote work options — In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, working remotely remains the norm for many companies. And employees reported they want this work option to continue.
Remote work business allowances — With so many employees working from home, office supplies that have traditionally been provided by employers in the workplace are now purchased by the employees themselves. Many companies are providing stipends or partial to full reimbursements for such items, and workers are appreciative of this trend.
Employee discounts — Employees love getting company-exclusive discounts, including for big-ticket purchases like cars, homes and smartphones among their most-wanted perks. If that’s beyond your reach, consider what your budget can afford. Even a discount at the local coffee chain can be a beloved perk.
Company-subsidized meals or snacks — Organizations that provide teams with nourishment during the workday get a thumbs-up from many professionals. Offering remote workers home meal deliveries or grocery stipends could be a great way to differentiate yourself from your competitors.
Paid parental leave — Employees want to know they can still earn a wage and pursue career goals while caring for a newborn or newly adopted child. This is a benefit with broad appeal. Companies that offer paid parental leave will likely gain points with top performers who may plan to become a parent — again or for the first time — in the future.
At a time with low unemployment numbers and many workers keeping their eyes open for new career opportunities, a thoughtful and generous benefits and perks package is crucial for keeping your best people around — and recruiting more top talent to join your team.
